Printing mechanism



2 Sheets-Sheet l Aug. 6, 1935. G. TAUscHEK PRINTING MECHAISM Filed sept. e, 195s www Aug. 6, 1935. G, TAUSCHEK PRINTING MECHANISM Filed Sept. 6, 1953 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 MzamozzJs-J Immmmum .mwa

INVENTOR ATTORNEY Patented Aug. 6, 1935 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE PRINTING MECHANISM tion of New York Application September 6, 1933, Serial No. 688,294

19 Claims.

This invention relates to printing mechanisms and more particularly to the type incorporated in accounting machines.

Machines of the latter type are sometimes provided with printing mechanisms for printing letters of the alphabet so that by the printing of complete words or abbreviations numerical data is readily identified.

Heretofore, to accomplish printing of the letters oi the alphabet a type bar was provided with a type for each letter of the alphabet although in some instances a single type was employed to represent two letters in view of the general similarity of such letters, for example U and V. While such an expedient reduced the number of type carried by a single type bar to less than the number of letters comprising the complete alphabet the number of type carried by the single type bar was still inordinately greater than desired esspeciaily when high speed printing operations were required. As the type are usually carried by reciprocating type bars unusually heavy masses were required to be reciprocated and further, due to the number of type being greater than the numof selecting elements, complicated type selecting mechanisms were required which also added to the objections.

In the present case only twelve type are employed and some are alike but differ in location. The remaining are each of a configuration different than any other so that by printing from such type in different combinations letters of the alphabet may be printed.

One of the objects of the present invention is to devise a printing mechanism whereby a number of different characters can be printed which characters are in excess of the number of type required to print such characters. y

A further object of the present invention is to reduce the number of printing type carried by a single member 'for printing the letters of the alphabet.

A still further object resides in the provision of selecting such type under control of tabulatlng card perforations arranged in different combinations.

A still further object is to provide a type hammer striking mechanism which is operable so as to effect printing from different type while the type are in motion, and preferably in diierent combinations to represent, for example, letters of the alphabet.

A further object with respect to the type hammer striking mechanism is to provide selective means for causing its operation at predetermined times during the successive presentation of the different type to the printing line. More specifically this object is attained by causing the operation of the type hammer' striking mechanism as card perforations are successively analyzed.

While the invention has been shown in connection with an alphabet printing mechanism it is to be understood that the same is merely illustrative and by following the teaching of the invention other characters can be printed with the same advantages and-beneficial results. The invention in whole, or in part, can, with minor changes, be incorporated in machines of diierent types.

In said drawings:

Fig. l represents the card feeding mechanism of a tabulating mechanism and the card analyzing mechanism.

Fig. 2 is a view in side elevation of a well known type of printing mechanism provided with the present improvements.

Fig. 3 is a representation of part of a tabulating card shown punched to cause printing of all the letters of the alphabet by selection of the different type.

Fig. 4 is a diagrammatic representation of the end of each of the diierent type showing the distinct coniiguration of each.

Fig. 5 is a diagram showing the different components for each alphabetical character, each vertical column under a letter indicating which type of the type bar are selected for printing of such a letter.

Fig. 6 is a view showing the type mounting and return spring.

The machine in which the present improvements have been incorporated is well known and is exempliied in the patents to Lake No. 1,379,268, dated May 24, 1921, No. 1,600,413, dated September 2l, 1926, and the pat-ent to Daly et al., No. 1,896,540, dated February 7, 1933.

In machines illustrated in detail in the above described patents and generally herein, tabulating cards I0 are adapted to be fed singly by a picker II from a supply stack to a pair of upper feeding rollers I2 which convey the card so as to have the perforations of the card analyzed by the usual perforation analyzing brushes I3 while the card is in motion. The card analyzed then passes to a lower set of feeding rollers I4 which then convey the card to a storage hopper, usual in the type of machine referred to.

Card feeding operations are instituted by the usual manual start key designated as ST in the lest mentioned patent so as to cause by an elec- Istantly rotating ratchet wheel Ii.

trical circuit the energization of a card feed clutch magnet I5.

The power for driving the card feeding rollers and other parts of the machine is derived from a motor (not shown) which by a belt I6 and pulley I1 constantly rotates a ratchet wheel I9 secured thereto. The pulley I1 and ratchet wheel I9 are loosely mounted upon a shaft Il.

In Fig. 1 there is shown the card feed clutch for causing card feed and is similar to the card feed clutch disclosed in Fig. 1a of the Lake Patent No.Y 1,822,594, dated September 8, 1931 to which reference should be had for details of construction and operation.

Upon completion of the electrical circuit to `clutch magnet I5 the latter attracts its armature to raise a clutch lever 2| to thereby unlatch the latter from a clutch pawl22. The latter is then drawn by a related spring 23 to engage the con- The clutch ,pawl 22 is carried by a bar 25, which is secured to a disk 26 secured toshaft Il and to the latter `there is secured a pinion 21.

The construction and operation of the card ifeed clutch, as is well known, is such that upon energization of magnet I5, disk 2i will be rotated and successive rotations of the shaft Il and therefore pinion 21 will ensue as long as tabulating operations are desired.

The pinion 21 is in mesh with a gear 2l and the latter drives the upper set of feeding rollers I2 and the lower set of feeding rollers Il. The upper set of feeding rollers is intergeared by pinions 2l one of which is rotatable with a gear Il in mesh with the driving gear 2l. 'I'he latter also meshes with a pinion 3i which is rotatable with one of a pair of inter-geared pinions 22 carried by the rollers Il which drive the lower set of feeding rollers Il in opposite directions. The driving gear 28 is of suflicient width to drive a gear 34 so that by a train of gears 3l, 3i a shaft 31 is driven. It is understood that as is usual in tabulating machines the card feed clutch is so designed and the gears are so proportioned that shaft 31 will be given a complete revolution in the arrow direction shown in Fig. 1.

It is customary in the type of machine described to adjust printing type of a printing mechanism in synchronous relationship with the analyzing of the index points of the card and to carry out the printing function in a novel man- ,ner a construction which is well known is adopted. This mechanism is fully described in the patent to Daly et al., No. 1,896,540, dated February '1, ,1933 and for this reason is described generally `herein except for the improvements incorporated therewith.

Operation of the type bars during card analyzing operations is effected by a box cam 3l secured to shaft 31. The printing type bar 39 ,is reclprocated by a rock shaft Il and the shaft I0 has an arm 4I fixed toit. An arm I2 freely rotatable on the shaft Il carries a roller which projects into the cam slot of box cam Il. The arm 4I fixed to shaft Il has a lug 43 normally engaged by a set screw u in arm 42. When the box cam 3l rotates in the clockwise direction, ,owing to the cooperation of the lug Il and set screw M, it will result in rocking shaft 40. Secured to shaft 4l are arms 45, (only one being shown in Fig. 2) each being pivoted at its free end to a slidable frame by a link I1. The type bars I! are mounted for simultaneous movement with the frame since an extension Il of the type bar constantly projects against a portion of the frame by means of a spring-pressed ,lever I9, one of which is provided for each type bar and pivoted by a suitable frame so that they ,elevate the frame 46 and type bars carried there- ,by simultaneously.

The type bars in the present machine move ,upwardly with the frame 46 so as to present for each machine operation each type 5I of a type bar 39 to the printing position, this action being performed by the related spring-pressed lever 49.

Each type bar is provided with ratchet teeth l0, there being one tooth for each index point position of a card column and for each of the yprinting type 5I of a related type bar 39. Each printing type of a type bar is called for a print- Ying operation under control of a printing control magnet 52 when a corresponding perforation is sensed. The armature of the latter when attracted shifts a call wire 53 to the right to displace a type hammer latch member 5l. The purpose of presenting 'each type 5I of a type bar to the printing position will be made apparent ,by the following explanation.

Instead of having a type of the same configuration as each letter of the alphabet to print the letters of the alphabet, the machine is equipped with only twelve type instead of one for each alphabetical character. The twelve type, as illustrated in Fig. 4, are adapted to each carry type of distinct configurations or are in different ,positions where alike and these type in combination, make up some of the alphabetical charac- ,ters. For example, to print the first letter or A, printing is successively effected from the sixth and twelfth type and by the superposition of the marks effected on the type the character ,A will be printed. The letter B is made up 'by successively printing from the first, third, and fth type, and so on, the type in combination making up most of the remaining characters, it being noted that due to the forms of the type adopted, a single type will print the letters I and V, although by adoption of type of other different configurations these letters can also bev printed by combinations of printed marks. Most ofthe letters are in accordance with the convention form, although some are slightly different, the slight difference not affecting the quick recognition of what characters are intended.

To cause successive printing, each column of a card is provided with one or more perforations in a column, and in Fig. 3 there is represented the Anumber of perforations necessary in a card to v,cause printing of the letters of the alphabet in accordance with the components comprising the type 5I. These perforations in a single column may be in any of the twelve index point positions.

The electrical means whereby the perforations in a card column are analyzed is shown in Fig. 1 wherein it will be seen that in a circuit connected to a source of electrical power P the printer control magnet 52 is in series with the brush I3 which coacts with a contact roll 55 through a card perforation thereby extending the circuit4 to card lever contacts 56 closed when a card actuates a card lever 51. Thus each time the brush I3 senses a card perforation an electrical impulse is transmitted to magnet 52 and thus the latter is successively energized as card perforations in a controlling card column are sensed.

Prom Fig. 2 it will be seen that the printing hammer 58 is pivoted on a stud 59 and is urged by a spring Il so that the hammer portion 6I strikes the left end of the type 5l in printing position but such action is normally restrained by the engagement of the latch member 5I with an extension of the hammer 56.

Upon energization of the magnet 52 the hammer 58 is released and the hammer portion by the action of spring 60 strikes the type in printing position and shifts it to the right to effect an imprint. in Fig. 6 wherein it will be seen that the type when struck is impelled against the action of a spring 62 which immediately retracts the type away from the paper surrounding the platen 68. The platen is the usual construction and carries the paper which is printed upon by the usual inking ribbon.

The type selected for printing is dependent upon which perforation is analyzed and upon release of the printing hammer it is necessary to relatch the same for successive printing operations. It should be observed that if a printing operation is followed by a subsequent elevation of the type bar 39 that the type 5| from which a printing operation is effected is restored clear of the paper by the spring 62 assisted by the usual rebound of the type 5I. The type hammer portion 6I follows the selected type a slight and lesser distance as determined by the coaction of the edge 63 with the corner 6l of a stationary cross bar 65 so as to permit the free restoration of the type which is shifted for printing.

A triangular shaped pin 66 is carried by the type hammer 58 and when a perforation is analyzed and the related type is at the printing position the pin 66 is in registration with one of the notches 50 permitting the entry of the pin 66 therein. After such entry, which is preferably only of suilicient extent so that pin 66 partially reaches into notch 50, the selected type is restored by spring 62 (Fig. 6) to clear the paper. Even though the pin 66 engages a wall of the notch 50 the spring between lever 49 and frame 46 is sufliciently strong to overcome the tension of the relativelydight spring 60. This will prevent any stoppage of the bar. during or after the printing operation permitting the type to be struck while they are being elevated. 'Ihe coaction of the lower inclined edge of the notch 56 in which the pin 66 has entered will cam the hammer 58 in a counterclockwise direction sumciently to permit its relatching by the latch member 58 and shift the hammer portion 6I clear of a type 5I in normal position. In such relatched condition the printing hammer 5l is ready to strike another type 5I.

When all the type have been successively brought to the printing position and the desired alphabetical character printed in the manner described, the frame 46 and type bars I6 are restored by means of suitable springs (not shown) but identified by numeral 290 in Patent No. 1,822,594.

Of course, after printing a line of characters the paper surrounding platen 6l is line spaced so as to separate the line of printing from the line next to be printed under control of a following tabulating card Il).

What is claimed is as follows: 1. In a machine of the class described, the combination with a bar carrying a series of type, of means for reciprocating the bar to present each type to a printing line for each operation of the machine, and means for effecting a printing impression from a selected type while the bar is in motion.

The type construction is fully shown 2. In a machine of the class described, the combination with a bar carrying a series of type.

of a type impression member, means for reciprocating said bar to present each type to a printing position for each operation of the machine, and means for causing the operation of the impression member while said bar is being moved by said reciprocating means.

3. In a machine of the class described, the combination with a bar longitudinally reciprocable and carrying a series of type, of a type impression member, means for reciprocating said bar to operatively correlate during one movement thereof all of said type to said member, a printer control magnet for controlling the operation of said impression member, and a card analyzing means for changing the energization status of said magnet in accordance with the card perforations analyzed to cause said impresion member to strike a selected type.

'4. In a machine of the class described, the combination with a bar carrying a series of type, of means for presenting said type to a common printing position during a machine operation, a hammer operable to strike a selected type, and means on said bar for restoring said hammer after its operation.

5. In a machine of the class described, in combination, a series of type, means for presenting said type to a printing position, a hammer movable for striking the selected type, a member having a camming notch, a projection, means for causing said projection to engage said camming notch when said hammer is moved, and means for thereafter effecting a relative movement between said projection and camming, notch to restore said hammer.

6. In a printing mechanism, in combination, a hammer operable for striking a selected type of a group, a movable bar carrying said group of type, and a projection carried by said hammer and engageable with a cam notch in said bar, whereby movement of the latter restores said hammer after its operation.

7. In a machine of the class described, in combination, a bar carrying a series of type, a hammer for striking a selected type while said bar is in motion, and a spring for restoring after a printing operation the type selected for printing clear of the medium printed upon.

8. In a machine of the class described, in combination, a bar carrying a series of type, a hammer for shifting a selected type by striking said type during the movement of said bar, a spring for restoring the type selected for printing clear 'of the medium printed upon after a printing operation, and av stationary member for de-limiting the movement of said hammer to an extent less than the shifting movement of the type selected for printing.

9. In a machine of the class described, in combination, a series of type from which imprints in different combinations represent characters, means for presenting each'of al1 of said type in succession to a common printing line, and means for selecting certain of said type in a predetermined combination to print a desired character.

`10. In a machine of the class described, in combination, a series of type from which imprints in diiIerent combinations represent different characters, means for moving said type to cause their presentation to a common printing line, and means e'ective while the type are in motion for selecting said type in a predetermined combination for printing a desired character.

11. In a machine of the class described, in combination, means for successively moving a number of type differing in relative locations or in coniiguration to a printing position prior to printing operations from said type, and means for successively printing at the same position from sele'cted ones of said type while each type is in motion.

12. In a machine of the class described, in combination, means for successively moving a number of different type to a common printing position prior to printing operations from said type, means for successively printing at the same position from selected ones of said type, and controlling means for said printing means comprising means for analyzing combinations of card perforations.

13. In a machine of the class described. a series of different type, card analyzing means for designations representing characters, means operable in synchronous relationship with the analyzing of a card for successively moving said type to a common printing position prior to printing operations from said type, and means controlled by the analyzing means for selecting said type for printing operations at the same printing position.

i4. In a machine of the class described, in cornbination, analyzing means for analyzing a combination of perforations on a card representing a character, and means under control of raid analyzing means for causing printing from dii'- ferent types while the latter are in motion past a common printing position.

15. In amachine of the class described, in combnation, a bar 'carrying a series of different type, a hammer operable to strike said type, means for presenting each of said type to a printing position for each machine operation by reciprocating said bar an invariable amount, and means for causing said hammer to strike the selected type to effect a printing operation.

16. In a machine of the class described, a series of type, means for presenting each type to a print'- ing position for each machine operation, card analyzing means for analyzing an index point position when a related type is at the printing position, a hammer under control of said analyzing means and operable when a perforation is analyzed, and means for thereafter restoring the hammer in position to effect, if necessary, another imprint during the same machine operation.

17. In a machine of the class described, in combination, a series of different type, means for presenting each type to a common printing position, means for selecting said type in a predetermined combination, a hammer operable independent of said type to effect shifting of the type to print at a common printing position, means for latching said hammer, means for unlatching said hammer at predetermined times, and means for causing the latching means to relatch said hammer after each printing operation.

18. In a machine of the class described, means for presenting a series of type in succession to a common printing position,1a hammer for shifting the selected type for a printing operation, a latch for said hammer, card analyzing means for displacing said latch to release said hammer for a printing operation, and means for causing 'the latch to relatch said hammer after a printing operation.

19. In a machine of the class described, the combination with a bar carrying a series of type, of means for effecting a printing impression from a selected type, and means for reciprocating the bar to present during one movement thereof the selected type to a printing line and thereafh`v` continuing the further movement of said bar to present for printing therefrom other type on said bar.

' GUSTAV TAUSCHEK. 

